- The Spec: 0/19/52 (Many slight variations exist)
- Presence: Unholy
- Runeforge: FC (Fallen Crusader) or CG (Cinderglacier).
- Glyphs: Icy Touch, Dark Death, Ghoul
- Sigil: Vengeful Heart
General Info about ShadowFrost II:
ShadowFrost II is one of several new specs that emerged and became popular after patch 3.2. The idea of this spec is to recreate the feeling of the original ShadowFrost spec back in mid S5 (Patch 3.08). Current arena situations often limit the ability to keep diseases up on targets, which limits the usage of Scourge Strike. With the damage nerf to SS, ShadwFrost II is looking like a more viable spec.
ShadowFrost II isn't exactly a new spec to 3.2. The spec for the most part existed in 3.1 as well, though was for the most part overshadowed by other specs. What sets ShadowFrost II apart from other specs is that the damage is non physical, will pretty much always hit the target, and is played in unholy precense. Basically, it takes the niche that Frost had in 3.1. When Frost Strike was nerfed in 3.2, losing both damge and its dodge/block/parry immunity, it basically lost what set itself apart. This is where ShadowFrost II takes over.
Another interesting fact about the spec is that it was actually a viable, but not very popular, raid spec in 3.1. The spec was played as DW Unholy (Elitist Jerks Link), also known as the Death Coil spam spec. The spec was one of two raid specs that played in UP. It was also the only viable DW raid spec back in patch 3.1. However, one of the more noticable changes with ShadowFrost II is that it can play with eitehr 2H or DW. The raid version of the spec used DW since DW has higehr auto attack damage, and benefits more from necrosis and BCB. The PvP version of the spec usually doesn't incorporate necrosis or BCB, which lets it run with 2H or DW.
How ShadowFrost II is played:
ShadowFrost II is for the most part played as a support class due to its limited burst and very low crit rate compared to other specs. In exchange of a lack of burst, it gains a high amount of sustained pressure from constant damage that isn't reliant on diseases.
The spec is played by spamming single rune abilities for runic power, then using the RP for Death Coils. Death Coils should be used when you have 120 RP so you can use 3 in a row. Runes strike should also be used if you play ShadowFrost II using a 2H weapon. Runic power is also used for defensive CDs and Gargoyle.
Frost runes are used mainly for IT (Icy Touch) in this spec for both RP generation and damage. With this spec IT generates 25 RP, which makes it your main spam ability to generate RP. While almost all frost runes and death runes are usually used for spamming IT for maximum RP generation, though CoI (Chains of Ice) is also used depending on the situation.
Unholy runes are only used for PS (Plague Strike) and Ghoul Frenzy (If your variation of the spec has it). Plague strike is used to apply blood plague, which also gives your spells and abilities bonus damage due to Rage if Rivendare talent. The other imporatnce of PS is that it causes the Desecration effect. Desecration is the main snare used for the spec, since you generally want to use IT over CoI for both damage and maximum RP generation.
Blood Runes are used for both BS (Blood Strike) and Pestilence. Pestilence should be used to ensure diseases are spread to enemies if they are within 15 yards. If nearby enemy players already have disease on them, or if there are no nearby enemies, then just use BS to convert the blood runes to death runes.
While ShadowFrost II is not a burst focused spec, burst its still very important to the spec. Death Coils should be used in chains of 3, and IT should be used in chains of 4 when possible. An optimal burst sequence should look somthign like this: [130 RP] DC, DC, DC, [10 RP] IT ,IT ,IT , [85 RP] DC ,DC. Basically, you can get 5 Death Coils and 3 Icy Touch over a span of 8 seconds. Gargoyle should also be used slightly prior to bursting, since it takes time for it to start attacking.
Optional Talent Choices:
- Wandering Plague (Extra damage, especially vs teams where enemy has no dispel)
- AMZ (Anti-Magic Zone - burst protection against casters, including DKs and Ret Paladins)
- Dirge (More RP generation)
- Ghoul Frenzy (Heals ghoul through effects such as Retribution Aura and Thorns. Also usable when you are snared)
